July 6, 2017 – Last week, Convene attended CIH’s Housing 2017 Conference in Manchester. Housing is the CIH (Chartered Institute of Housing) annual conference & exhibition that takes place in Manchester in June. Running for over 60 years, Housing delivers thought provoking and inspiring content, essential networking, and an unrivaled experience, throughout what is recognised as the most important 4 days in the calendar.

The event brings together 8,000 housing professionals and 200 speakers from across the sector and beyond.

Innovation and Disruption was at the heart of this year’s theme at Housing 2017. Talks centered on digital transformation and harnessing digital for the better of the community.

We learnt that lots of housing providers are currently thinking about extending or improving their digital services and embracing digital transformation. Yet few housing providers put technology at the heart of their business change programmes.

Community Investment is also changing. The best social innovations help housing providers respond to the needs of their residents and communities more effectively by utilizing local insights, resources and skills and leveraging new technology to support this process. New partnerships can re-imagine services and improve outcomes for the communities.

For us, it was a chance to meet up with our current clients in the housing sector, as well as talk to people interested in leading digital transformation.